Filling up a glass with clean drinking water from kitchen faucet

5 Common Causes of Leaky Faucets

A leaky faucet is always an annoyance and can waste a significant amount of water each day. There are a few reasons why your faucet continues to leak and the steps to take on your property in Redding, California.

1. Damaged Washers

One of the most common causes of leaks on faucets is damaged washers, which is common for residential properties in Redding, California due to the significant amount of older homes that are present throughout the city. Washers tend to wear out and deteriorate over time, which occurs every time it’s forced against the valve seat. You may start to notice a lot of dripping that develops around the spout of the faucet, even when it’s not in use. Fortunately, replacing the washer is a quick and easy fix that doesn’t cost a lot of money. Once the new washer is in place, it’ll immediately restore the operation of your faucet and will prevent the leak from returning.

2. Issues With the O-Ring

The O-ring is one of the main components of a faucet and can cause leaks to develop when it’s damaged or has suffered from normal wear and tear. O-rings are prone to coming loose over time and can lead to drips that develop near the handle of the faucet, specifically for cartridge faucets.

3. Damaged Cartridge

A damaged cartridge can also cause leaks to form if your faucet contains two separate handles. The cartridge is installed on the valve of each handle and determines how much water flows out from the spout of the faucet. Fortunately, the cartridge is easy and affordable to replace.

4. Damaged Valve Seats

The valve seat can become damaged and start to deteriorate over the years, especially if you live in an older home in Redding, California. You may notice that the faucet has started to leak from the spout. Over time, sediment from the tap water can begin to develop and build up, which gradually causes a leak to form.

5. Loose Parts

Some of the parts of the faucet are also prone to coming loose, which can prevent proper seals from being present. The steam screw’s packing nuts are known to come loose after several years of daily use, which leads to leaks that form around the handle. You can replace the packing nut or tightening to correct the issue. A professional from a company like Beaton in Redding, California can inspect the leak if the problem persists.

Reach out to the team at Beaton in Redding, California, today to learn more about why your faucet continues to leak and the right steps to take. You can also request one of our team members to inspect the issue and perform the necessary repairs in your home.